Autoimmune diseases are the leading cause for death in the
United States, especially among women. However, their exact
impact is unknown because the National Statistical Center
did not include all the diseases in their list of possible
causes for death; thus doctors do not list them on the death
certificates. At the same time, analysis of the data from
the Center of Disease Control from 1995 show that this group
of diseases is in the top ten (Am J Public Health, Sep,
2000). According to the National Health Institute, 23.5
million of Americans suffer from autoimmune diseases; this
is 1.5 million more cases than cases of cardio-vascular
disease and 14.5 million more cases than cases of cancer.
Every year, $100 billion are spent on treating autoimmune
conditions. However, financing for autoimmune research is
limited and programs for medical students include minimal
information.

As recently as twenty years ago, diagnosis of autoimmune
disease was very rare. Now it is known that 5% of the
world’s population suffers from this kind of illness and the
number is constantly growing. For example, in the past ten
years the number of patients affected by Crohn’s Disease in
the United States has tripled and predominantly affects
people between the ages of 20 and 30.

There are approximately 80 known kinds of autoimmune
diseases, among which are rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma,
lupus, Type 1 Diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis, dermatomyosite,
psoriasis, etc. As immunodiagnostic techniques improve, we
have more and more data of immunological foundations for
many diseases (i.e. atherosclerosis), which until recently
were not considered autoimmune in origin.

The majority of autoimmune diseases are considered to be
caused by a defective gene that is dormant until an
unfavorable factor (virus, toxins, ultrasound,
electromagnetic waves, etc.) triggers the pathological
process. This process is characterized by the forming of
antibodies, that instead of fighting for genetic uniformity
of the organism and suppressing foreign bacteria, viruses
and diseased cells (as a healthy immune system is intended),
they initiate inflammatory reactions against it’s own
cells.

It has been proven that autoantibodies are formed before
birth. Research conducted in Israel on the blood from
umbilical cords showed that antibodies present in the blood
of a newborn are able to connect with 305 kinds of cells in
it’s own organism. Thus, the presence of antibodies in an
organism are more normal than pathological. Even though the
biological role of these autoantibodies is not clear, it is
apparent that they are capable of increasing their own
concentration in an organism’s blood, and influencing the
development of autoimmune pathology in adults.

The immune system in mammals is an immensely complicated
structure: it includes a vast number of different cells,
proteins and mediators whose common task is the protection
of the organism from disease carrying microbes and toxins,
as well as the elimination of diseased cells. For this
purpose, there are special cleansing mechanisms that are
carried on by special cells in the immune system- autoimmune
lymphocytes.

In every cell there are particular protein molecules that
mark cells to show that they belong to this specific
organism. This is how the immune system recognizes “it’s
own” and doesn’t attack them. The number of our “protectors”
is approximately 1 trillion. Usually, all the soldiers of
this “army” work together, but in the instance that there is
a genetic defect or if the organism is weakened, the immune
system can turn on itself and attack it’s own tissues. As a
result, many biologically active and toxic substances form
and the inflammation occurs. Thus, it is not surprising that
these kind of diseases are accompanied by serious
malfunctions in the organism. For example, rheumatism is
accompanied by damage to the myocardium and heart valves,
with lupus- internal organs and skin are affected. Vitiligo
(a condition where a pigment called melanin is lost and
irregular white patches appear on the skin because cells
producing melanin are destroyed) often goes together with
diabetes. As Crohn’s Disease progresses, joints and eyes are
often affected.

Which autoimmune disease will develop is determined by those
cells that are no longer controlled by the organism. If the
cells are specific to a protein called myelin that covers
nerve fibers, multiple sclerosis develops. If the cells are
specific to tissues of joints- rheumatoid arthritis
develops. If the cells are specific to the pancreas-
diabetes develops.

Lately, more attention is being paid to an organism’s
autoimmune reactions, considered either a hyperimmune
condition (pathologically strengthened immunity), either an
immunological imbalance with malfunctions of a “selective”
(autoimmunity suppressing) functions of the thymus gland, or
the disruption of interactions between cells responsible for
suppressing the autoimmune reactions.

The reason why autoimmune diseases are more frequently found
in women is the influence of female sexual hormones, which
amplify any inflammatory effects and provoke more active
immune system responses.

Scientists from the medical center at Duke University
propose a “hygienic” theory explaining the growing epidemic
of autoimmune diseases. They believe that people have become
more hygienic, especially in the Western world, and the lack
of contact with microbes is eliminating the need for
heightened immunity. Our weakened immune systems are trying
to actively compensate for this weakness by attacking our
own tissues, which they view as “internal foreign bodies.”

Comparing the immune reactions of animals living in a
natural environment with microbes to animals living in a
sterile laboratory environment, scientists discovered that
both groups have identical antibodies but those in the wild
animals are not aggressive towards their own tissues, and
are able to fight off parasites, while those in the “lab
animals” are not. The “lab animals” also suffered from
allergies and other autoimmune disorders. This research
leads us to consider whether the wide spread belief that
antibacterial substances and vaccinations against previously
harmless children’s diseases are good is true or false.

Every day stress plays a big role in the development of
imbalances in our immune system. It has been proven that our
sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the so-called
“fight or flight” reaction and controls the T-lymphocytes.
These T-lymphocytes are regulators of “war” against
uninvited occupants and stop inflammation as soon as the
“enemy” is beaten.

Scientists from the University of Connecticut identified a
particular protein called TGF-beta that is responsible for
producing T-lymphocytes. Animals residing in laboratories
cannot, for example, get Multiple Sclerosis if their
sympathetic nervous system was stimulated. However, their
“untreated” compatriots easily fall subject to this disease.
This experiment shows that the sympathetic system can either
provoke the disease or enable the recovery.

The main mass of immune cells protecting us from invaders is
located in the wall of the gastrointestinal tract. This is
the initial protection from potential enemies. It is the
work of close collaboration between blood cells
(lymphocytes), tissue cells (macrophages), friendly flora
and the external epithelium of intestines.

The most common food sensitivity is to gluten. If one is
sensitive to gluten, then the irritation of the mucus in the
gastrointestinal tract causes the production of a substance
called zonulin, a protein that widens the spaces between
cells. As a result, little particles and toxins are able to
filter into the blood and the organism starts to produce
antibodies against these uninvited guests.

Intolerance to gluten is an autoimmune disease that provokes
different symptoms. The most severe form of gluten
intolerance is a disease called Celiac Disease. With this
disease, not only is the gastrointestinal tract affected,
but also the skin and internal organs. If the patient does
not eat gluten, the secretion of zonulin decreases, the
number of antibodies decreases and the patient feels fine
without the use of medications (Lancet 2000, 355).

These observations show the importance of a diet and a
proper digestive process in the treatment of autoimmune
disorders. Practically, every autoimmune disease has it’s
own specific provokers- for instance, bacteria may provoke
rheumatoid arthritis, mercury and milk may provoke multiple
sclerosis (Neuroepidemiology 1993; 12) and mold and mercury
may provoke thyroiditis. These provokers can push the immune
system to attack itself.

Microbes play a special role in the pathogenesis of these
disorders. For example, many people are carriers of the
herpes virus HHV-6 without exhibiting any symptoms. However,
if the immune system is compromised, this virus can provoke
an autoimmune reaction such as Multiple Sclerosis. Another
very common virus, cytomegalovirus (CMV), may provoke
autoimmune hepatitis. Specific L-form microbes, that do not
have cellular membranes and do not grow well in laboratory
media, are suspected to cause autoimmune reactions in
patients with Crohn’s Disease. Crohn’s Disease can be
exacerbated by bacteria that, though it may not be friendly,
is common to our intestinal flora; for example,
mycobacterium, listeria, candida, Chlamydia, etc. Clostridia
bacteria causes the formation of antibodies capable of
destroying collagen, thus contributing to the development of
ankylosing spondilitis in case of enterocolitis.

De Hertogh (2008) offered the theory of “unidentified
permanent pathogens” that cause the autoimmune process in
patients with Crohn’s Disease. He based his theory on the
analysis of information collected concerning epidemiology,
clinical pathology, genetics and laboratory findings of this
disease.

Recently, a specific colitis was identified in children with
Autism, similar to Crohn’s Disease and accompanied by
abdominal pain, diarrhea and chronic intestinal
inflammation. They suspect the live virus from the MMR
vaccine is a cause of this disease.

As it was declared at the 62nd Annual American
College of Rheumatology Conference (1998,CA), vaccination
against hepatitis B can increase the risk for an autoimmune
disease. Thus, this vaccine is no longer given to children
in France. Dr. Classen found a connection between the
vaccine for hepatitis B and the development of type 1
diabetes in children (Br Med J Oct, 1999). Dr. Mercola and
many other physicians believe that introducing antibodies
directly into human blood, which never occurs naturally,
immediately causes a disruption in the response reaction and
instead of the physiological antibodies IgA the organism
starts to produce autoantibodies IgG and IgM (mercola.com).

Unfortunately, Western medicine, which is very successful in
most areas, often treats chronic diseases in primitive ways
and does not go beyond the simple “symptom-medication”
relationship. Thus, the main treatment of autoimmune
diseases is the prescription of the strongest medication
available that “kills” the mischievous immune system without
investigating the causes of its malfunction. Not
surprisingly, the effectiveness of such a primitive approach
is usually minimal. At the same time, numerous researchers
(only a few of which are mentioned above) show that all the
factors are important in the successful treatment of
autoimmune disorders. This includes, the fight against
stress, toxicosis and disbacteriosis, individualized diet,
vitamins, minerals, hormones, enzymes and many other
protection activating means. (J. Neuroimmunology 1998 Dec;
Multiple Sclerosis 1997 Apr; Human Reproduction 2000 Jun).

For any person of sound mind, who understands the complexity
of the human structure, such a primitive approach is
unsatisfactory.